%% Image selected per Image Pickin' thread: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/posts.php?discussion=1388701832080892800%% Please do not replace or remove without starting a new thread.%%[[quoteright:205:[[ComicStrip/{{Dilbert}} http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/colons_203.gif]]]][[caption-width-right:205: We don't condone their [[ColonCancer overuse]], either.]]

->'''Baloo''': I'll learn him all I know!->'''Bagheera''': Well, that shouldn't take too long.-->-- ''Disney/TheJungleBook''

Character A is in no position to insult Character B... but does so anyway in a way designed to slip under Character B's radar.

A favored tactic of the DeadpanSnarker, especially the ServileSnarker. Differs from InsultBackfire in that a StealthInsult is ''intended'' to be misinterpreted by its target; indeed, it may sound like a compliment at first (which is why some call it a Backhanded Compliment).

Sometimes rendered in writing via an acrostic, a text in which the first letters of each line or word collectively form their own message.

See also OverlyNarrowSuperlative and MyFriendsAndZoidberg, which are often specific forms of this. WithDueRespect is also sometimes used as this. A frequent technique in PassiveAggressiveKombat, and sometimes a clever way to deliver a QuietCryForHelp to third parties who are clever or informed enough to recognize the implications.

Compare FalseReassurance and ParentheticalSwearing.

----!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Comicbooks]]* In the ''[[ComicBook/CaptainMarVell Captain Marvel]]'' series (the one with Rick Jones, not [[{{Shazam}} the one with Billy Batson]]) the titular character is a humanoid alien trying to do good on Earth. Rick, bonded to Marvel, teaches him a new battle cry. "Oh Watta Goo Siam"[[note]]"Oh, what a goose I am."[[/note]]. Captain Marvel took some time to get it. About a year later, Marvel went insane and destroyed the entire universe, but that was probably unrelated.* In ''ComicBook/VForVendetta'', the gangster, Ally is hired by the new police chief, Creedy.--> Ally: Yer predecessor, Mr Almond wouldna' have had time fer a man like me, a verra superior man, Mr Almond. Now you sir, you're not superior. Quite the reverse, in fact.* In the comic and film versions of ''ThreeHundred'', Leonidas and the remaining Spartans are surrounded by Xerxes' army after they were betrayed by the Spartan [[spoiler: Ephialtes]]. Leonidas tells him, "May you live forever" before taking his last stand. This phrase may sound oddly complimentary until you realize that living forever in Spartan culture, as opposed to dying gloriously in battle, is a dishonorable fate.* In ''ComicBook/FromHell'', Sir William Gull explains [[InfoDump at length]] to his uneducated, dim-witted coachdriver John Netley his intellectual rationale for the [[UsefulNotes/JackTheRipper Whitechapel murders]] he's [[ReverseWhodunnit about to commit]].--> '''Gull:''' You realize that I only share these private thoughts with you in recognition of your lack of cognizance?\\'''Netley:''' Why--thank you, sir. I can't say what that means to me.\\'''Gull:''' Ha ha ha! Of COURSE you can't. That is precisely why I trust you.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Fiction]]* ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' fanfic, ''[[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8747753/1/Amy-and-Mecha-Sally Amy and Mecha Sally]]'' has Fiona attempting to prove to Elias and Nicole that she didn't come to New Mobotropolis to pick a fight with Mecha Sally, who has regain her free will. She then hits her to see no damage so her point is proven.-->'''Fiona''': See? Sugar-Queen is indestructible. In other words, she's numb.-->'''Mecha Sally''': I get the detail already.* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Ben 10}}'' fanfic [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3137871/1/Hero-High Hero High]] Ben and Gwen almost appear to try to one up each other when it comes to StealthInsults.* In ''Fanfic/{{Pokeumans}}'', Spiritus confesses to Brandon that the original Pokemon referred to the developing human race as ''Homo Stultus''.* In [[http://archiveofourown.org/works/125204 this]] ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'' fic, Ozai gets one in after watching Zuko and Azula spar.--> '''Ozai''': Excellent as always, Azula. And a better effort than I've seen from you, Zuko. Perhaps one day you'll manage to become a firebender that isn't an affront to your ancestors.* In ''Fanfic/FieldOfInnocence'', Ozai's farewell to Lu Ten and Iroh is basically him and his nephew taking shots at each other like this.--> '''Lu Ten''': Well, Grandfather would know best after all. Perhaps he sees that you would be of less use on the battlefield than you are here at the palace.* In [[FanFic/EquestriaAHistoryRevealed Equestria: A History Revealed]], the LemonyNarrator seems to take great enjoyment out of making [[PlayedForLaughs several potshots at Celestia's expense.]]* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8794971/1/Faith-No-More Faith No More]]'', Faith's InSeriesNickname for [[Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer Buffy]] "B" is revealed to actually be short for "Bitch".* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/5571816/20/Win-Some-Lose-Some Love and Loss]]'', when Kurenai questions the idea that Manga/{{Naruto}} would attack a fellow Konoha villager if something happened to his daughter, Naruto responds that she should wait until she's a parent. Then if she can honestly say she wouldn't kill anyone who harmed her child, regardless of where they're from, he'll admit she's a better shinobi than him, leaving it all but unsaid that she'd be a far worse parent.* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/8106168/4/Weres-Harry Weres Harry?]]'' Harry comes up with a rather nice one when he gets fed up with a social gathering Padma Patil drags him to during his first year at Hogwarts.-->'''Harry:''' I apologize for my interruption of this most prestigious of gatherings. I am afraid my manners are not on the level of a gathering such as this. Ms. Patil merely wished for me to see for myself the society that my parents and I sacrificed so much in defending. I am pleased to say in this she succeeded admirably. And now if you would excuse me?[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animated]]* In Disney's ''Disney/{{Aladdin}}'':** The Sultan insults ''himself'' in a very subtle way. He is wondering why his daughter Jasmine can't choose a suitor to marry, then adds 'Her mother wasn't nearly so picky.' It may take the audience a little while to notice the self-deprecation.** When Aladdin decided to visit Jasmine and play up the prince charade, he struck an arrogant pose and asked the Genie "How do I look?" The Genie, who had just tried to convince Aladdin to stop pretending to be a prince, replied "Like... a prince."** When Jafar is praising Iago on his plan to marry Jasmine and eventually bump her and the Sultan off: "I love the way your foul little mind works!" Note the way he pinches his fingers together when he says "little".* In Disney's ''Disney/TheJungleBook'', Bagheera delivers a sharp one when Baloo is trying to make himself look like someone who can be trusted to raise Mowgli.-->'''Baloo''': I'll learn him all I know!-->'''Bagheera''': Well, that shouldn't take too long.* In Disney's ''Disney/TheEmperorsNewGroove'', Kronk remarks that one would think [[SpoiledBrat Kuzco]] would have turned out better, in response to [[EvilChancellor Yzma]] stating that she "practically raised him." It's not entirely certain if Kronk even ''intended'' this to be an insult, given that he's DumbMuscle.* Done by the animated Creator/AdamSandler (Davey Stone) in ''WesternAnimation/EightCrazyNights'':-->'''Whitey''' (Davey's caretaker): Now I assume you've done your pre-game warm-ups.\\'''Davey Stone''': No, let me do them right now. ''[Hold up his fists, raises and lowers his middle fingers]'' One, two, three, four...\\'''Whitey''': ''[oblivious]'' That's good, but don't forget your hammies.* In Disney's ''Disney/BeautyAndTheBeast'', Belle tells Gaston that he's "positively primeval", but says it in a light enough voice that he thinks she's complimenting him. It doesn't help that he's ignorant enough to not know what "primeval" means. Later, when she's trying to diplomatically kick him out of her house, she says "I just don't deserve you!" Bonus in the musical adaptation, where he responds to the line with "Who does?"[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]* In the comedy film ''Film/LiarLiar'', JimCarrey's character, who has been cursed to tell the truth for one day, is forced to tell his coworkers ''exactly'' what he thinks of them (not very complimentary thoughts, to say the least), but manages to save himself from disaster by [[SarcasticConfession affecting a mocking tone of voice]], thus convincing his coworkers that his insults are [[TheRoast only outrageous jokes.]]* ''TimeBandits''.-->'''Evil:''' Dear Benson, you are so mercifully free of the ravages of intelligence.\\'''Benson:''' You say such nice things, master.\\'''Evil:''' Yes, I know. I'm sorry.* From ''{{Caddyshack}}'':-->'''Judge Smails''': They tell me you're the man to beat this year, and, well, I'm no slouch myself...\\'''Ty''': Oh, don't sell yourself short, Judge. You're a ''tremendous'' slouch.* In ''Film/{{Zodiac}}'' the suspected Zodiac Killer is questioned by the police. As he leaves, he flatly tells the officers that he looks forward to the day when policemen are no longer referred to as pigs.* ''QuoVadis'' has [[DeadpanSnarker Petronius]], who spends the entire film secretly snarking off to ''[[TheCaligula Nero]]'' of all people. His crowning moment comes during the Great Fire of Rome, when Nero worries that his song won't be epic enough to match the moment, Petronius ''serves'' him with this line:-->'''Petronius:''' I am sure you will be worthy of the spectacle.... as the spectacle is worthy of you.* Spock's goodbye "salute" to the Vulcan Science Academy in [[Film/StarTrek the new Star Trek movie]], which can basically be translated as, "Live long and ''[[ParentheticalSwearing fuck you]].''" It was a fairly appropriate response.* In ''Film/SchoolOfRock'', after Ms. Mullins berates Freddy for not being in accordance with the school's dress code (he was styling himself as a punk), Frankie says "Ms. Mullins, you're the Man." She responds "Why, thank you, Frankie", not realizing that he was referring to the phrase "stick it to the Man", i.e. he called her an oppressive authority. Dewey had taught the class about "The Man" early on.* ''{{Amadeus}}'', and Mozart's reaction to Salieri's music. "I never knew that music like that was possible." And, "One hears such sounds, and what can one say but... Salieri?", two sentences designed not to purposely say anything good.* In ''Film/MenInBlack'', Zed says "Congratulations, you're everything we've come to expect from years of government training." J also scratches his forehead with his middle finger after K states he has to "grow up" before he can get a Neuralyser.** At one point, when J is arguing with a skeptical (and overweight) cop, the officer says "You're not half the man I am!". J's response: "I am half the man you are".* In ''Film/ScottPilgrimVsTheWorld'', Kim gets to do quite a few of these, notably flipping off her contract manager by using her middle finger to scratch under her eye.* Kirk gave a more in your face insult to Tugg in ''Film/TropicThunder''.--> '''Tugg Speedman:''' There were times while I was playing Jack where I felt...retarded. Like, really retarded.\\'''Kirk Lazarus:''' Damn!\\'''Tugg Speedman:''' In a weird way I had to sort of just free myself up to believe that is was okay to be stupid or dumb.\\'''Kirk Lazarus:''' To be a moron.\\'''Tugg Speedman:''' Yeah!\\'''Kirk Lazarus:''' To be moronical.\\'''Tugg Speedman:''' Exactly, to be a moron.\\'''Kirk Lazarus:''' An imbecile.\\'''Tugg Speedman:''' Yeah!\\'''Kirk Lazarus:''' Like the dumbest motherfucker that ever lived.\\'''Tugg Speedman:''' [pause] When I was playing the character.* In ''Film/{{Clue}}'':-->'''Col. Mustard:''' Well, you tell him it's not true!-->'''Ms. Scarlett:''' It's not true.-->'''Mr. Green:''' It's not true?-->'''Ms. Scarlett:''' No, it's not true.-->'''Mr. Green:''' Aha! So it '''IS''' true!-->'''Wadsworth:''' A double negative!-->'''Col. Mustard:''' Double negative? You mean you have (''whispering'') photographs?!-->'''Wadsworth:''' That sounds like a confession to me, In fact the double negative has led to proof positive. I'm afraid you gave yourself away.-->'''Col. Mustard:''' Are you trying to make me look stupid in front of the other guests?-->'''Wadsworth:''' You don't need any help from me, sir.-->'''Col. Mustard:''' That's right!* In ''Film/{{Thor}}'', Loki uses good timing on a comment for ironic effect:-->'''Thor''': You always were a talented liar, brother.-->'''Loki''': It's good to have you back.* ''Film/MarvelOneShots'': PhilCoulson unloads a fast one on Agent Sitwell in ''The Consultant''.-->'''Sitwell''': I got it. We send a patsy to sabotage the debrief.-->'''Coulson''': A patsy?-->'''Sitwell''': Yes, someone to screw it up. Someone so inept that General Ross will refuse to release Blonsky. I could do it. [[ObfuscatingStupidity I make a great patsy]].-->'''Coulson''': Yes you do. Your patsy is legendary. In fact, when I think of the word "patsy"--->'''Sitwell''': [[PreemptiveShutUp Alright.]]* ''Film/IronMan1'': Tony's SexySecretary Pepper Potts delivers a not-very-subtle one to Tony's one-night-stand.-->'''[[HotScoop Christine Everhart]]:''' After all these years, Tony still has you picking up the dry cleaning. -->'''Pepper Potts:''' I do anything and everything Mr. Stark requires. Including, occasionally, [[SlutShaming taking out the trash]]. Will that be all?** ''Film/IronMan2'': The senator's remark to Tony Stark shortly after giving him the medal and "accidentally" pricking him with the pin.-->'''Senator:''' Sorry, it's funny how annoying a little ''prick'' can be. ** Pepper once again proves she is the master of this.-->'''Hammer''': [[[HotScoop Christine Everhart]]]'s actually doing a big spread on me for ''Vanity Fair''. I thought I'd throw her a bone, you know. Right? -->'''Pepper''': Right. Well, she did quite a... [[DoubleEntendre spread]] on Tony last year. -->'''Tony''': [[LampshadeHanging And she wrote a story as well]].* Maggie Smith plays a shrewish lady in ''Film/GosfordPark'' who is a master at these. In one instance, she "compliments" a cash-strapped woman for wearing the same dress over multiple days, saying that she's delightfully economical.* There is a quick one in ''Film/TransformersAgeofExtinction'' Cade calls all of Humanity junk.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]* In ''Literature/DragonBones'', Tisala says to Ward that it's his eyes that make him look stupid, especially the long lashes. He replies that he always thought it was the colour - his eyes are brown, as are Tisala's. * Literature/HarryPotter, in the [[Literature/HarryPotterAndTheHalfBloodPrince sixth book]], drops a quick one on his [[{{Seers}} Divination teacher]], the notorious NotSoPhonyPsychic Sybill Trelawney:-->'''Sybill Trelawney''': Everything went pitch black and the next thing I knew, I was being hurled headfirst out of the Room!-->'''Harry Potter''': And you didn't see that coming?* From ''Literature/EllaEnchanted'', Ella gets one over her thicker-than-bricks stepfamily:-->"What a clever daughter I have," Olga beamed at Hattie.-->"As clever as she is beautiful," [Ella] said.-->They both began to answer me, and then stopped, confused.-->"Hattie isn't pretty," said Olive.* SherlockHolmes gets one of these on Inspector Gregson after noting that the pathway outside of the murder scene has been so trampled over by the police that any clues are now impossible to make out: "With two such men as yourself and Lestrade upon the ground, there will not be much for a third party to find out." This goes completely over the head of Gregson, who assumes that Holmes is complimenting him on the thoroughness of his investigation.** He does many of these throughout the canon, but one particularly ballsy was targeted towards the King of Bohemia.-->'''King of Bohemia:''' ''(Talking about Irene Adler)'' What a woman – oh, what a woman! Did I not tell you how quick and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?\\'''Holmes:''' From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a ''very'' different level to your Majesty.** Also in "The Problem of Thor Bridge" towards his own client.-->'''Holmes:''' I'll give you one. This case is quite sufficiently complicated to start with without the further difficulty of false information.\\'''Client:''' Meaning that I lie.\\'''Holmes:''' Well, I was trying to express it as delicately as I could, but if you insist upon the word I will not contradict you.** In "The Adventure of the Blanched Soldier"--one of only two cases narrated by Holmes himself--he even takes a pot-shot at ''Watson'', although in this case, he might not mean it as poorly as it comes off sounding. [[note]]Given Holmes' distaste for the tendency of the professional police to jump to conclusions, it might even have been meant as a sincere, if quite barbed, compliment.[[/note]]--> "A confederate who foresees your conclusions and course of action is always dangerous, but one to whom each development comes as a perpetual surprise, and to whom the future is always a closed book, is indeed an ideal helpmate."* OlderThanPrint: In ''Literature/RomanceOfTheThreeKingdoms'', Cao Cao manages to insult the capabilities of his surviving advisors by weeping for a dead one.* An intercultural example: in ''TheDeathOfTheVazirMukhtar'', the main character pretends to be impressed by a lousy Persian court poet, so much that he compares him to "the excellent Count Khvostov", a legendarily, memetically awful Russian poet.* ''Literature/WarriorCats'' is good with these: in the later books of the series, most Gatherings consist almost entirely of the Clans taking jabs at each other in this manner.-->"I am pleased to hear that you are getting so much use out of a piece of land prey-poor by [=ThunderClan=] standards."* In Literature/{{Discworld}}, even though Vetinari and Vimes ''are'' in a position to insult people straightforwardly, their insults often confuse people, sometimes because the insults are clever and sometimes because the people being insulted are just thick. ''Discworld/{{Jingo}}'' has this example:-->'''Sgt. Colon''': I know something about seaweed, sir.-->'''Vetinari''': You do?-->'''Sgt. Colon''': Yes! When it's wet, that means it's going to rain!-->'''Vetinari''': I shall never forget you said that.-->Colon's response is to walk away proudly thinking that he's "Made a Contribution", when Vetinari ''probably'' meant he would never forget its monumental stupidity.** Vimes does it to WideEyedIdealist Reg Shoe throughout ''Discworld/NightWatch''. Eventually, he pushes it far enough that Reg catches on. (The setup is that Reg is trying to ration out the beseiged Republic's food and, to his disappointment, Vimes has just pointed out they don't ''need'' to ration the food, because they have most of the food in the city):-->'''Vimes''': But I'll tell you what, if this goes on, the city will see to it the deliveries come in by other gates. We’ll be hungry then. That’s when we’ll need your organizational skills.-->'''Reg''': You mean we'll be in a famine situation?-->'''Vimes''': If we aren't, Reg, I'm sure you could organise one.** In ''Discworld/TheWeeFreeMen'', one of the traveling teachers condescendingly complements Tiffany on knowing the word "zoology":-->'''Teacher:''' That's a big word, isn't it?\\'''Tiffany:''' No it isn't, actually. "Patronizing" is a big word, "zoology" is really quite short.** Carrot Ironfounderson is either a deft master at this trope, or a sincerely well-meaning speaker who only ''accidentally'' says things like "If it [the Fools' Guild] burns to the ground, it'll be a blow for entertainment in this city."* In ''[[Creator/AgathaChristie The Mysterious Affair at Styles]]'', Poirot gets one in at Hastings: "We must be so intelligent that [the murderer] does not suspect us of being intelligent at all. There, mon ami, you will be of great assistance to me."** It's made even more hilarious by Hastings' follow-up narration.---> ''I was pleased with the compliment. There had been times when I hardly thought that Poirot appreciated me at my true worth.''* Bertie Wooster of ''Literature/JeevesAndWooster'' calls out [[TheJeeves Jeeves]] on the way he says "Well, sir," and [[ServileSnarker "Indeed, sir?"]]-->'''Bertie''': "The impression I retain after hearing you shoot it at me a couple of times is that you consider me to be talking through the back of my neck, and that only a feudal sense of what is fitting restrains you from substituting for it the words 'Says you!'"* Fisk tricks a servant into doing this to herself in the ''KnightAndRogueSeries''.--> '''Mrs. Trimmer:''' I hope you're prepared to work.--> '''Fisk:''' I never work. If you're clever you don't have to. Are you a hard worker, Mrs. Trimmer?--> '''Mrs. Trimmer:''' That I am, and an honest woman to boot.* In one of the ''CaptainUnderpants'' books, an obnoxious student named Melvin gains superpowers and takes on the name of "Big Melvin". He declares that whenever he has halted a crime, he'll use his laser vision to scorch the initials "B.M." in large print, so people will know it was him. Cue George snarking that "Big [=BMs=] always made me think of Melvin!"* Most of the conversations OddThomas has with villains are comprised of him doing these.* Tyrion from ''Literature/ASongOfIceAndFire'' is a master of these:--> '''King Joffery''': [Sansa's] stupid brother is calling himself a king.--> '''Tyrion''': All kinds of people are calling themselves kings these days.* In the final ''{{Literature/Animorphs}}'' book, Jake contacts [[WellIntentionedExtremist the Andalite fleet]], who intend to quarantine Earth [[ItsTheOnlyWayToBeSure in hopes of killing the evil Yeerks there too]]. Unfortunately for the Andalites, Jake's message is also being broadcasted to their civilian nets, meaning both sides have to keep up the appearance of peace. Jake responds with some carefully worded statements (which Marco ever-so-helpfully translates for the reader).** "We must set aside the necessary ruthlessness of war... and turn to the more satisfying duties of making peace." Translation: Your civilians who are watching this broadcast now are going to be ''really'' upset if you decide to rush in and annihilate us when we're offering peace.** "Our victory could have never occurred without the help of our Andalite friends." Translation: You did squat for us, but we're willing to share the credit just to make you look nice. Grateful?** "We have [learned] so much from the great Elfangor and his no less courageous brother Axmili." Translation: If your ship attacks anyway, you'll end up killing Elfangor's hero brother aboard this ship and undoing all their hard work.* OlderThanFeudalism: "Rex" (Latin for "king") was a huge insult according to the Romans, but many of the societies that they conquered (such as Judea) had much higher opinions of kings. For example, "Rex Iudaeorum" ("King of the Jews") was the biggest insult (by Roman standards) that Pontius Pilate could throw at Jesus in TheFourGospels, but the insult was lost on the native Jews. In fact, the chief priests' main objection to Jesus being given that label was that it was too big of a ''compliment'' to him.* Composer Ziller in ''Literature/TheCulture'' novel ''Look to Windward'' sometimes amuses himself by doing this, although normally his criticisms of Culture society are more direct (since the incessant ''politeness'' of the Culture is one of the things that gets on his nerves). At one point a rather foolish Culture citizen named Treslen Scofford attempts to jog his memory by reminding him that, when Treslen had commented on one of his compositions, Ziller had called the comments "singular" and "uniquely viewpointed". Ziller acknowledges that this certainly sounds like something he'd have said.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Live-Action TV]]* On ''House Of Buggin'', [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LRppExmnrE one sketch]] has a crew of mariachis insulting their monolingual English-speaking customers in Spanish under the guise of serenading them until, of course, they run into some customers who also speak fluent Spanish. While most of their insults are translated for us in the subtitles, this piece comes with a further BilingualBonus or two as well for actual Spanish-speakers' further amusement. (Translated: "Miserable barato..." Not translated: "...pendejo!")* In ''AllInTheFamily'', Lionel Jefferson would do this to Archie Bunker to trump Archie's racist comments. In one case, after Archie made a stereotypical comment about black people living crowded in small quarters, Lionel "explained" that they have special efficient storage closets to shove their things into, and that Archie should get one to "shove yours". After he left, Archie realized that "you could take that two ways"; in response, "Meathead" joined the stealth insult game by assuring him that Lionel "only meant it one way".** Sammy Davis Jr. also told one to Archie: "If you were prejudiced, you'd go around thinking that you were better than everyone else in the world. But after spending these wonderful moments with you, Archie, I can honestly say - you ain't better than anybody."* In an episode of ''TheGoldenGirls,'' Dorothy's ex husband Stan is staying with the women to recover from a heart attack. However, he's afraid of being alone and fakes a relapse. The following is paraphrased:-->'''Blanche:''' Isn't it funny that you would have a relapse on the day that the doctor said you could go home?\\'''Stan:''' What can I say, the heart's a funny organ.\\'''Blanche:''' I bet a lot of your organs get a laugh.* One of the ways ''NeverMindTheBuzzcocks'' can insult its guests, but still get stars who take themselves seriously to appear on the show. For instance, after Preston walked out when Simon Amstell ''innocently read out sections of'' his wife's book:-->'''Simon Amstell''': I only read his wife's book, I can't believe that upset him... I mean, then again, I've read the whole thing and it upset me.* This conversation from ''Series/IClaudius'':-->'''[[TheCaligula Caligula]]:''' Do you think I'm mad?\\'''Claudius:''' Mad? Why your majesty, you set the standard of sanity for the entire world!* You better believe that {{Blackadder}} indulges in this from time to time. Especially prevalent in seasons 3 and 4, when he had more superiors than underlings.** Barely stealthed example: In ''Blackadder the Third'', Prince George complains that a fellow at his club said he had the brains of a donkey. Blackadder, in his [[ServileSnarker most servile tones]], states that this is absurd ... "unless it was a very stupid donkey". George's reaction? "If only ''I'd'' thought of saying that!"* From ''Series/TheITCrowd'':-->'''Jen:''' It's indescribable.\\'''Moss:''' Good.* In the ''Series/DoctorWho'' episode "The Sunmakers", Gatherer Hade has an ostentatious manner of addressing The Collector (your Immensity, your Hugeness, your Supernal Eminence, etc), but as their relationship breaks down under the strain of events the honorifics become somewhat insulting, as in: "I fear the situation is worsening, your Grossness!"** In the episode "Dalek", the Doctor describes Davros, creator of the titular species, to megalomaniac Henry Van Stratten, then adds, "You'd like him." It goes over the man's head because he doesn't realize just how much the Doctor ''despises'' Davros.* Jeeves gets two of these over on Bertie on separate occasions in ''Series/JeevesAndWooster'':-->'''Bertie:''' Oh, stop playing with the hat, Jeeves. I knew you wouldn't like it.\\'''Jeeves:''' Oh, not at all, sir!

-->'''Bertie:''' She gave it to me, you know. Trying to improve my mind, I dare say.\\'''Jeeves:''' That seems scarcely possible, sir.** Jeeves sneaks in a dig at the song "Nagasaki" in response to Bertie's expressed love of the song:--->'''Jeeves:''' Extremely... ''invigorating'', sir.\\'''Bertie:''' Yes, Jeeves, that is just the word I would have used. Yes, it makes you want to get up and bally well have a run 'round the park.\\'''Jeeves:''' [[RunForTheBorder My feelings precisely, sir.]]* Subverted in the ''Series/{{Extras}}'' Christmas special, where Andy tries his best to insult his agent but it doesn't land:-->'''Darren:''' But if I send you, they'll think I don't know what I'm doing!\\'''Andy:''' Ohhh, no one could ever think you don't know what you're doing, that you're a total waste of space and ''shouldn't even be in the industry''.\\'''Darren:''' Well, thanks, mate, but you'd be surprised.* In one episode of ''HogansHeroes'', Hogan manages to convince Klink that the name the men have been calling him 'Klink the Fink' is actually a compliment.** Hogan did this to Klink a lot. Klink once complained to Hogan about the prisoners blowing raspberries at him, so Hogan told him that it was a sign of respect. [[BrickJoke Later in the episode,]] Hogan lead them in a cheer for Klink - which consisted of all the prisoners blowing a raspberry at the same time.* In ''MarriedWithChildren,'' Marcy once berated her husband Steve by saying that she didn't blame Al's involvement in one of their misadventures because "If you give a loaded gun to a chimp and it shoots somebody, you don't blame the chimp." Al sat for a moment before saying, "[[LampshadeHanging I think that was a hidden dig at me]]."* This one from the ''Series/FrenchAndSaunders'' skit, "The Generation Gap", featuring Dame Creator/HelenMirren acting on a ([[StylisticSuck bad]]) sitcom written by Jennifer. Bonus points for the insults seeming to hit both people.-->'''Helen:''' But I don't have any funny lines!\\'''Jennifer:''' Don't blame your tools.* While you'd be [[BlatantLies hard pressed]] to find insults in ''Series/MontyPythonsFlyingCircus]'', the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxXW6tfl2Y0 "Oscar Wilde Sketch"]] was comprised of Wilde and others lampooning the king, claiming it to be a quote of one of the others. Each one miraculously manages to turn them into compliments, though only the king seems oblivious.* Major Frank Burns in ''Series/{{MASH}}'' is a frequent target, except for those times when people insult him to his face. Two examples:-->'''Burns''': Wasn't your nose broken?\\'''Radar''': Oh no, sir, it was just sprained. Doctor Pierce said I should just stay off my nose for awhile.\\'''Burns''': I'm a doctor and that's crazy!\\'''Radar''': I've heard that, sir.--->or:-->'''Burns''': What I don't understand is, why do people take an instant dislike to me?\\'''Trapper''': It saves time, Frank.** His replacement, Major Charles Winchester, tends to be the deliverer rather than the recipient of these. For instance, in one episode he calls three Korean doctors "[[Film/TheThreeStooges Moe, Curly, Larry]]", assuring them that those are [[BlatantLies great philosophers from the West]]. *** However, they aren't fooled. [[BrickJoke At the end of the episode,]] when the Korean doctors have alleviated Winchester's bad back with acupuncture, one of them replies to Winchester's apology by quipping that their efforts weren't bad for a bunch of stooges.* Creator/JonStewart had a great many hilarious barbs to shoot at the [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFQFB5YpDZE guys on Crossfire]], but perhaps none quite so good as the ones that passed unnoticed.* [[Series/TheColbertReport Stephen Colbert's]] nickname for [[TheOReillyFactor Bill O'Reilly]] is "Papa Bear". This coming from a man who considers [[BearsAreBadNews bears to be the number one threat to America]].* Far from uncommon on ''TheWestWing''. For instance, when Charlie meets his ex's new boyfriend.-->'''Charlie:''' I just read 150 words about you in ''Us Weekly'', and I feel like I know you already.-->'''[[FrenchJerk Jean Paul]]:''' Thank you.* ''{{Buffyverse}}'':** The second season had the following exchange:--> '''[[JerkJock Larry]]:''' Man! Oz, I would love to get me some of that Buffy and Willow action, if you know what.--> '''[[DeadpanSnarker Oz]]:''' That's great, Larry. You've really mastered the single entendre.** Any time Cordy tries to be relatively nice, this is the result.* In ''Talking Funny'', Jerry Seinfeld and LouisCK recall a conversation about the F word (Jerry doesn't use it while Louis is Mr. ClusterFBomb), where Jerry compared it to an American sports car. Louis thinks Jerry means the F word is special and should be used sparingly, but after some thought realized that his wealthy car-collecting friend meant that the word is flashy, vulgar, and only really appealing to low-class people who don't know better.* After giving a rotten answer on MatchGame, the audience boos Bill Cullen. Bill responds by politely thanking the audience.* Example from ''Series/{{Community}}'':-->'''Slater:''' Britta! You look great! Such a ''stunning'' improvement.\\'''Britta:''' Wow, you look gorgeous. It ''must've'' taken all day.* [[AntiVillain Nucky]] [[VillainProtagonist Thompson]] from ''BoardwalkEmpire'' throws out a few of these early in the show which go right over the head of his partners because most gangsters are not nearly as well read as he is. For example, when one rather annoying gangster talks about changing his name, Nucky absentmindedly says "[[RomeoAndJuliet A rose by any other name]]..." When the gangster asks what that means, Nucky just gives him a cold look and tells him "Read a [[PrecisionFStrike fucking]] book".* MadMen's Pete Campbell gets off a [[CrowningMomentOfFunny pretty awesome one]] in S3 when he assures his old college buddy that his idea for a national jai alai league is "exactly [[TheGamblingAddict my]] [[ImpoverishedPatrician father's]] sort of investment."* ''{{House}}'': When House tests candidates for his team at the beginning of the 4th season, one of the candidates's theories is shot down by Foreman. When House confirms that the candidate's idea was actually good, the candidate subtly looks at Foreman and gets some dust out of his eye... with his middle finger.* ''Series/{{Firefly}}'': When Jayne tries on the knit hat he got in the mail from his mother, Wash comments, "Man walks down the street in that hat, you know he's not afraid of anything."* In ''Series/GameOfThrones'', when the people of King's Landing prepare for a siege, Sansa Stark (who is being kept there as a guest/hostage) gets one on her hated fiance King Joffrey, after he gloats about how he'll kill her older brother. In overly innocent tones, she asks him if he'll be on the front lines and not hiding from the fight, because said brother leads the charge and Joffrey just boasted about being better than him. She then gives one to Tyrion, telling him that she'll be praying for his safe return from battle, "just as [she] prays for our king's".** In "Garden of Bones," King Renly Baratheon knows very well the kind of self-serving person Littlefinger is, and is disgusted by it.---> '''Renly''': You can trust Brienne. Her loyalty comes without charge.** In "Valar Dohaeris," Margaery Tyrell subtly criticizes Cersei's fashion sense.--->'''Margaery''': Loras, isn't the Queen's gown magnificent? The fabric, the embroidery, the ''metalwork''. I've never seen anything like it!** Loras then (politely) rubs it into Cersei's face that he thinks ''very'' poorly of her as Queen due to her neglect/mistreatment of the smallfolk.---> '''Loras''': ''[smiling directly at Cersei]'' Margaery does a great deal of work with the poor back in Highgarden.** Cersei also levels one against [[BastardBastard Joffrey]], though judging by his expression, he got the message.--->'''Cersei:''' You are your father's son. Not all of us can have a king's bravery.* In ''Series/BabylonFive'', Londo, preparing to meet [[TheCaligula the new Emperor]], informs the Regent that he met the Emperor twice before. The first time, he was an infant, and drooling on himself, and later as an adolescent, trying to look up girls' skirts.-->'''Cartagia''': Ah, Mollari. It's wonderful to see you again.-->'''Londo''': And you, Majesty. I could swear you have not changed since the last few times I saw you.-->'''Cartagia''': Oh, you are of course too generous.* In ''Series/StarTrekTheOriginalSeries'', invoked by Spock at the end of "Mirror, Mirror" regarding their MirrorUniverse counterparts, leading a bemused Kirk and [=McCoy=] to question whether they've just been insulted as well.--> '''Spock''': May I point out that I had an opportunity to observe [[MirrorUniverse your counterparts]] here quite closely. They were brutal, savage, unprincipled, uncivilised, treacherous, in every way, ''[[HumansAreFlawed splendid examples]]'' of homo sapiens, the very [[MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch flower of humanity]]. I found them quite refreshing.* [[LampshadeHanging Lampshaded]] in the ''Series/SportsNight'' episode "The Apology":-->'''Casey:''' I'm completely cool, huh?-->'''Dana:''' And you dress cool.-->'''Casey:''' Yes! ({{Beat}}) Wait, that was a dig, wasn't it.** And a bit later:-->'''Casey:''' I love music. I have a great appreciation of music.-->'''Dan:''' Dude, I've been in your car and you've got the Starland Vocal Band singing "Afternoon Delight."-->'''Casey:''' That's right! ({{Beat}}) Wait, I do not have the Starland Vocal Band, it's not like I went out and bought the single. It's on my Time-Life Sounds of the 70's.-->'''Dan:''' [[DeadpanSnarker Well, there you have it]].-->'''Casey:''' How can I be cool again? I'm a newly divorced man, I'm young, I used to be cool. I need to be cool again. Help me be cool again.-->'''Dan:''' Well, first I'd have to disabuse you of the notion that you were ever cool before.* ''Series/{{Cheers}}'' has them frequently, particularly between Sam and Diane. One first season episode has a zinger, though. Right after Norm's boss has made an aggressive pass at Diane (and [[spoiler: fired Norm for stepping up to Diane's defense]]) because he believed she was a hired escort, Sam says to Diane "We all know you'd starve to death before you made a living with your body." * ''Series/SpartacusBloodAndSand'' has a lot of this, particularly during conversations between Lucretia and Ilithyia. Ilithyia is constantly finding ways to reference the fact that Lucretia comes from a lower social class, which Lucretia always pretends to ignore. In one episode, Ilithyia warns Lucretia that a very elevated woman she knows is very vain and might treat Lucretia poorly for her lower status. Lucretia looks directly at Ilithyia and assures her, "I have experience dealing with such people." Ilithyia doesn't seem to notice.[[/folder]]

[[folder: Music]]* The HipHop genre is filled with these. Have a sharp ear and you'll hear alot of subliminal disses, or maybe something that could get interpreted as a diss.** Many believe that Raekwon (Of Music/WuTangClan) had subliminal disses to NotoriousBIG.** Many believe that Jay-Z was dissing 2pac in the song Shiny Suite Theory.** Music/BoneThugsNHarmony affiliate Maje$ty disses Crucial Conflict in the song Ready 4 War off of Bone's The Art of War album. ** 2% diss by Mc Lyte which was toward Roxanne Shante.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]* In ''Comicstrip/CalvinAndHobbes'', Calvin sometimes has some fun this way at Moe the bully's expense. Once he responds to his demand for a quarter by telling him, "[[ExpospeakGag Your simian countenance suggests a heritage unusually rich in species diversity.]]" As Moe stands there confused, Calvin hands over the quarter, and says it was WorthIt.** A couple of times, Hobbes makes a snide comment about Calvin while Calvin is distracted. [[LateToThePunchline Calvin doesn't realize that he has been insulted until much later that night]].-->'''Calvin:''' What the... I'm not playing a full deck!-->'''Hobbes:''' That's what they all say.** Watterson had to fight very hard to keep his syndicate from licensing his work (he didn't want a bunch of crappy ''Calvin and Hobbes'' merchandise out there). During that time he threw the occasional StealthInsult at the syndicate's expense into the strip. He insists that he never wrote anything that didn't stand on its own, though.* In ''Comicstrip/{{Dilbert}}'', Dogbert once gives the title character this epic zing:-->'''Dogbert''': I could never underestimate your intelligence.-->'''Dilbert''': Apology accepted.** Also in [[http://www.dilbert.com/strips/comic/2002-03-10/ this strip]], where Wally insults the Pointy-Haired Boss, and claims that he's talking to his mother using his hands-free phone.** And: [[http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/1994-02-22/ "Bingo, sir."]]** [[http://dilbert.com/strips/comic/1994-08-28/ And again.]]* Played by Rat in ''PearlsBeforeSwine'':-->'''Pig''': My goal in life is to leave every place I visit a little better than when I arrived.\\'''Rat''': I think you do that. Every time you leave a room, I say to myself 'Hey, the room's a little better.'\\'''Pig''': ''Ohhh'', thank you!! Thank you!!\\'''Rat''': ''(to Goat)'' The best insults are the ones that look like compliments.* In one ''ComicStrip/SallyForth'' strip, Nona says Hilary's obsession with the song "You're So Party, Let's Go Dancey" is "just one big [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSM-5 DSM-5]] entry. No offence, Hil." Hil's response is a perplexed "Not sure if one's taken".[[/folder]]

[[folder:Pinball]]* In Creator/DataEastPinball's ''Pinball/GunsNRoses'', the "Mystery Award" is collected by shooting a scoop hole beneath Axl Rose's groin; some believe this is an insult against Axl (or a comment on his mental state), and designer Creator/JohnBorg doesn't dissuade the notions...[[/folder]]

[[folder:Print Media]]* In a ''Magazine/{{Cracked}}'' parody of ''Series/HappyDays'', Potsie wonders why they show less of his singing [[NoFourthWall every episode]].--> '''Al:''' It's because you sound better that way.\\'''Potsie:''' Really?\\'''Al:''' Sure. And just think how great you'll sound when they don't show your singing at all.\\'''Potsie:''' YEAH![[/folder]]

[[folder:Radio]]* ''Radio/CabinPressure'': -->'''Arthur:''' Will there be more learning how to understand people?-->'''Carolyn:''' No, Arthur, I think you understand as much about people as you ever will.-->'''Arthur:''' Thanks, Mum, what a nice thing to say.-->'''Carolyn:''' Case in point.** Douglas' job reference for Martin states, "Other than myself, there is no one at MJN whose skills as a pilot I rate higher." This is a case where only the person being insulted catches the insult; to the interviewer at Swiss Air, this looks like a high recommendation, but Martin knows that he and Douglas are the ''only'' two pilots at MJN.* From the sitcom ''Radio/RevoltingPeople'':-->'''Joshua:''' ...and then before long, I find myself wondering if I'm some kind of idiot!-->'''Samuel:''' Oh, I wouldn't waste your time wondering about that.* When Jeremy Clarkson and Ian Hislop discuss Piers Morgan:-->'''Jeremy:''' I think he's tremendous, isn't he?-->'''Ian:''' Yes, you mustn't be fooled by this media idea that we all hate each other.-->'''Jeremy:''' No!-->'''Ian:''' I mean, he's terrific fun, Piers. He's round my house all the time.-->'''Jeremy:''' When he isn't at mine! And his career has gone from strength to strength.-->'''Ian:''' I mean, who could begrudge him international success, money and wealth?-->'''Jeremy:''' And his wife likes him too![[/folder]]

[[folder:Tabletop Games]]* In the {{GURPS}} RPG sourcebook ''GURPS TabletopGame/{{Banestorm}}'', the Honor-obsessed Sahudese culture considers direct insults to cause both the insulted and the insulter to lose face. Therefore, they have elevated the StealthInsult to an art form; the standard form is to compliment the target on everything except his most obvious flaws. For example, at a meal consisting of a rice dish, fish and somewhat inferior cakes for dessert, a hostile guest might elaborately praise the rice and fish, but say nothing about the cakes. Thus, the cook will be shamed for their poor quality.* ''TabletopGame/MagicTheGathering'' has one in the flavor text for the joke card [[http://gatherer.wizards.com/Pages/Card/Details.aspx?multiverseid=74290 Zombie Fanboy]] [[spoiler:(The implication being that gamers have a stench comparable to that of zombies.)]]:-->''The real advantage of being a zombie gamer? No one notices the stench.''* In both ''TabletopGame/VampireTheMasquerade'' and ''TabletopGame/VampireTheRequiem'', the art of stealth insults is considered a prerequisite if you want to get anywhere at Elysium. Directly insulting another vampire may risk setting off [[UnstoppableRage frenzy]].* The rules for duels in ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}'' mention that Eldar characters are likely to call out their opponents with subtle and sophisticated insults, as likely to leave their opponents confused, as enraged, thus "proving Eldar superiority twice over."[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theater]]* Creator/WilliamShakespeare did this all the time.** In ''Theatre/JuliusCaesar'', Marc Antony is permitted to deliver a eulogy for Caesar provided that he does not denounce the assassins. He sticks to the letter of the agreement, but nevertheless turns the crowd against the assassins to the point where his repeated references to them (particularly Brutus) as "honorable men" has the effect of a sarcastic jibe.** Another notable example is ''Theatre/{{Hamlet}}'', where the titular character made many of these comments, most notably urging his then-girlfriend Ophelia, "GetTheeToANunnery". ("Nunnery" was slang for "brothel" at the time.)** Hamlet calls Polonius a "Fishmonger". When he was corrected, he responded with regret that Polonius was not so honorable a man. It seems to fit in with Hamlet's "antic disposition", but fishmonger is thought to be period slang for "fleshmonger." In other words, he's saying that Polonius is lower than a pimp.* In Creator/{{Moliere}}'s play ''The Miser'', title character Harpagon wants his daughter, Elise to marry a much older man, because he'd take her without dowry. When Harpagon's steward, Valère, who's secretly in love with Elise, hears this, he comments: "When a man offers to marry a girl without a dowry, we ought to look no farther. Everything is comprised in that, and "without dowry" compensates for want of beauty, youth, birth, honour, wisdom, and probity." Harpagon takes it completely seriously.* ''Theatre/CyranoDeBergerac'': While [[GiftedlyBad the baker Raguenau]] reads [[StylisticSuck his poem]] to his [[FalseFriend poet "friends",]] [[StarvingArtist they are frenetically eating Ragueneau’s pastries]]. When Ragueaneau finishes, the [[WritersSuck poets]] praise his poem with culinary terms.--> '''The poets''' ''(with mouths crammed full):'' [[StealthInsult Exquisite! Delicious!]]* ''AStreetcarNamedDesire'' has both Stanley and Blanche firing these off at one another at certain points. One memorable moment is when they talk about horoscopes, with Blanche under the assumption that Stanley is an Aries (forceful and dynamic) while Stanley scoffs at Blanche's sign being Virgo the Virgin (in which she's the opposite).* The majority of the song Pore Jud is Daid from ''{{Oklahoma}}'' is this. Well, Curly ''is'' trying to convince Jud to kill himself - he's not precisely fond of the guy.-->'''Curly''': ''But the folks that really knowed him knowed that beneath them two dirty shirts he always wore there beat a heart as big as all outdoors.''* In the Creator/GilbertAndSullivan operetta, ''Theatre/TheGondoliers'', the Duke and Duchess are discussing their daughter's arranged marriage with her. The daughter (who has fallen in love with someone else) says that she will never be able to love her husband:-->'''Duke:''' I don't know. It's extraordinary what unprepossessing people one can love if one gives one's mind to it.-->'''Duchess:''' I loved your father.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]* In ''VideoGame/{{Portal}}'', GLaDOS quickly proved herself to be the undisputed master of passive-aggressiveness thanks to her use of this trope. One of the reasons the first game is usually considered funnier than the already-hilarious ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'' is because so many of the jokes (the majority of them being jabs at [[HeroicMime Chell]]) tend to fly over the heads of first-time players, only clicking on repeat playthroughs after her deep antagonism towards Chell has come to light (and even with the insults that don't call for multiple playthroughs, most of them require you to spend a few moments deciphering their actual meaning).--> '''GLaDOS:''' "Unbelievable! You, [[foldercontrol]]

[[folder: subject name here ]], must be the pride of [[/folder]]

[[folder: subject hometown here ]]."* In ''RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal'', OmnicidalManiac BigBad Dr. Nefarious' robotic butler constantly gives these to his boss, who either ignores them or takes them as compliments.-->'''Dr. Nefarious:''' Did you hear that, Lawrence?\\'''Lawrence:''' You put the wit in twit, sir.\\'''Dr. Nefarious:''' Yes, I do, don't I...\\[...]\\'''Dr. Nefarious:''' That moron could never hope to beat the likes of me!\\'''Lawrence:''' If anyone can beat a moron at his own game, it's you, sir.\\[...]\\'''Lawrence:''' Even drooling imbeciles can achieve success in certain fields, sir. Mad Science, for example.\\[...]\\'''Dr. Nefarious:''' [[TheyCalledMeMad To think, they called me insane, Lawrence]]. We'll see who's insane when ''my mutant armies have exterminated all life on this planet!''\\'''Lawrence:''' Yes, that should clear things right up, sir.* In ''VideoGame/TheWorldEndsWithYou'', Konishi manages it with Beat, but [[IdiotHero that's not too hard]]. Of course, Neku's right there to clarify things.-->'''Beat''': "You're too old! You can't keep up with us!"-->'''Konishi''': "Yes, I can see that being a child comes naturally to you."-->'''Beat''': "Damn straight!"-->'''Neku''': "... Dude, she's making fun of you."* Magazine/NintendoPower once described ''Film/BackToTheFuture'' for the NES as having "[[TheProblemWithLicensedGames that distinctive LJN style]] and an interesting 'timer'." WebVideo/TheAngryVideoGameNerd naturally picked up on it being a StealthInsult.** Which is one of Magazine/NintendoPower's preferred methods of insulting games as they review because even when giving a very harsh rating they don't fully dismantle a game being published by Nintendo.* In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolidPeaceWalker'', many characters regularly make a VSign. Zadornov is fond of using the knuckles-outward version when talking to Snake.** In the ending, when Snake gives his speech about turning his back on almost everyone he's ever known, [[spoiler:he's holding Zadornov's prosthetic hand in that same gesture]].* ''VideoGame/BatmanArkhamCity'': One of Hugo Strange's interview tapes with The Riddler begins with the professor saying that Riddler doesn't have to hack into the intercom to talk, and that he should come in person so they can have a discussion "as equals". Riddler scoffs at this and gloats about how he'll kill Batman and find out his SecretIdentity. Hugo, (who already knows who Batman is), claims that he was mistaken about them being equals. A smug Riddler ignorantly agrees.* Hazama of ''VideoGame/BlazBlue'' fame is known for dropping these from time to time, per his FauxAffablyEvil nature. One particularly gratuitous incident is the end of Makoto's Arcade mode, where he gives the appearance of praising her information-gathering abilities. In reality, he is cursing her very name for [[spoiler:almost [[OutGambitted ruining his plans]] [[SpannerInTheWorks again]]]] using said information-gathering abilities against him, and he only stops feigning his compliments when he activates his Azure Grimoire and tries to kill her.** There's also his line from the first game about not being very good at fighting. In his [[SarcasmMode humble]] [[ItsAllAboutMe eyes]] the [[SNKBoss stuff he can do]] is probably not all that impressive... so what does that make ''you'' who cannot beat a self-professed weakling?* ''VideoGame/GuildWars'' has the Asura call humans by the apparent nickname "bookah". Vekk eventually reveals that a bookah is the boogeyman of young Asura, notorious for its large size and stupidity. The fact that he explains this so readily when asked seems to indicate he doesn't think you'll make the connection.* A clever one in ''VideoGame/KidIcarusUprising'': [[spoiler:In Chapter 20, before going to confront a possessed Palutena, Viridi chimes that it's time to save Palutena, to which Hades interjects: "'Save Palutena'? Don't you mean 'Crush Palutena'?" Pit replies: "Go home, Hades. Just...go home." Considering where [[{{Hell}} home]] is for Hades...]][[/folder]]

[[folder:Visual Novels]]* ''VisualNovel/LittleBusters'': At one point, Masato claims that Riki has gotten sick because he isn't muscular enough. Kengo tells [[DumbMuscle Masato]] that he'll never have to worry about getting a cold, in reference to the Japanese saying that stupid people can't catch colds. Masato smiles and thanks him. A few lines later [[LateToThePunchline he does figure it out]], though.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Webcomics]]* Shortly after being summoned into ''{{Erfworld}}'', Parson was told that he should address Stanley using some respectful title. He replied that, where he came from, the highest title of respect was "Tool". Stanley interpreted this as a reference to his quest to gain all the Arkentools for himself, and declared that henceforth he would be known as "Stanley the Tool" (thus making it a combined StealthInsult and InsultBackfire).** Not to mention a pun on Stanley's name.* Used in [[http://www.awkwardzombie.com/comic1-060809.php this]] ''Webcomic/AwkwardZombie'' strip. The insulted characters do notice, but not until after the person handing out the insults leaves.* Used in [[http://megatokyo.com/index.php?strip_id=234 this]] ''WebComic/{{Megatokyo}}'' strip, when Seraphim insults Asmodeus by saying "My partner's far sexier than you are", and he's still smiling because he thinks he's still up there. Little to his knowledge, the partner is [[BaldursGate Boo]].* In ''Webcomic/IrregularWebcomic'', a black market weapons dealer is trying to sell to Serron and Iki Piki. He says that a new weapon is a quantum leap above its predecessors. Iki Piki says that "quantum leap" [[YouKeepUsingThatWord actually means]] the smallest possible unit of change. When the dealer doesn't understand, Iki Piki says that his brain is obviously a quantum leap above primordial protoplasm. The dealer responds with "flattery will get you nowhere"* An early ''DominicDeegan'' [[http://www.dominic-deegan.com/view.php?date=2004-01-09 strip]] has Luna greet her sister Amelia with a four-sentence greeting, beginning with the letters "S", "L", "U", and "T". Dominic catches on and snickers.* When she needs to find a secret passageway in ''Webcomic/GirlGenius'', Agatha muses that they just need to “Think like a diabolical, paranoid, amoral megalomaniac.” Cue [[ChronicBackstabbingDisorder Tarvek]] finding it [[http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20101124 right off the bat]].* ''{{Bobwhite}}''. [[http://www.bobwhitecomics.com/?webcomic_post=20090429 Ivy's response to Marlene's film]] comes across like she was trying to compliment Marlene but was insulting anyway.-->'''Ivy:''' Marlene, I gotta say. I'm as surprised as anyone, but I think... I think I like it! I think it might ''not be terrible!'' You're like the little retarded kid who finally learned how to fly.\\'''Marlene:''' Okay, no talking during the movie.* Probably accidental example: the conclusion of "Abbygate". When ''CtrlAltDel'' creator Tim Buckley apologized for "accidentally" plagiarizing another artist's work ([[http://forums.somethingawful.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=777097 compare]]) the original artist was extremely gracious (him returning from a tropical vacation where he proposed to his girlfriend probably helped) and hoped Buckley's "little webcomic" becomes successful in the future. ''CAD'' [[WebcomicsLongRunners is almost ten years old and one of the most well-known webcomics on the internet]]...* Lampshaded in ''Webcomic/BasicInstructions'':-->'''Scott:''' I know ''Film/{{Dune}}'' 's a bad movie, but I still enjoy it.\\'''Rick:''' See, I don't get that.\\'''Scott:''' You're my best friend.\\'''Rick:''' I don't see how that's related.\\'''Scott:''' [[SarcasmMode I especially appreciate your ability to know when you've been insulted.]]* Recognized by the insultee in ''Webcomic/PennyBlackfeather''-->'''Mrs. Blake:''' You'll like our hostess, Penny. [[http://www.pennyblackfeather.co.uk/?webcomic_post=page008 Miss Quinn is just like you!]]\\'''Miss Quinn:''' ''(appears)'' DARLINGS! Welcome!\\'''Penny:''' Eccentric and badly dressed?\\'''Mrs. Blake:''' Haha, ahem. Yes.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Originals]]* Website/ActsOfGord, [[http://www.actsofgord.com/Annoy/ Book of Annoyances]], [[http://www.actsofgord.com/Annoy/chapter03.php Chapter 3]];--> '''Gord:''' I'm sorry, I'm afraid I subscribe to the theory of intellectual osmosis. As such, I must now cease our conversation and move away from you before my intelligence begins to drop. Good day.* From the pilot episode of SpaceJanitors:-->Darby: "...One of these days, I'm going to be somebody someone's gonna want to shoot at."-->Mike: "Hey, if it's any consolation, I already think you should be shot."* All but reduces Hiei to tears in ''WebVideo/YuYuHakushoAbridged'' when he fails miserably to insult Kuwabara.* In ''WebVideo/DoctorHorriblesSingAlongBlog'', the song "Everyone's A Hero" by [[SmugSuper Captain Hammer]] is sung in an inspiring fashion while being filled with contemptuous comments towards his audience.-->Everyone's a hero in their own way\\Everyone's got villains they must face\\They're not as cool as mine\\But folks you know it's fine to know your place\\Everyone's a hero in their own way\\In their own not-that-heroic way* See here and there on this very Wiki. For example, in the Film section of PragmaticVillainy:--> ''Film/TheProphecy'' featured a pragmatic Lucifer (played by [[TheLordOfTheRings Viggo Mortensen]]) who has the angelic habit of perching atop things like a bird. Satan [[spoiler: saves the main cast from an evil Gabriel, who was on a rampage against mankind. His own selfish motives being "we don't need another hell up there"]].\\* Which is almost repeated in ''Film/{{Constantine}}'', down to the name of [[spoiler:the rebel angel]]. However, ''The Prophecy'' could have been based on or inspired by the ''Hellblazer'' series.* ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'': Florence gets a great one in Marik Plays Slender:-->'''Marik:''' You like stupid things, Bakura.-->'''Bakura:''' Yes I do, [[BrainlessBeauty Marik]]. [[HoYay Yes I do.]]* In ''Website/SFDebris'' Chuck claims that Janeway's fiance Mark gave her a copy of ''Literature/DantesInferno'' as a way of saying that the idea of marrying her puts him in mind of experiencing all the torments of the damned. Note that only the explanation is his invention; why on earth anyone would give that book as an engagement present otherwise is a mystery that ''Series/StarTrekVoyager'' does not explain.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Western Animation]]* In ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' episode "The War of the Simpsons," Homer has a talk with Bart, who saw him making a drunken fool of himself the previous night.--> '''Homer:''' I'm sorry it happened, and I just hope you didn't lose a lot of respect for me.\\'''Bart:''' Dad, I have as much respect for you as I ever did or ever will.\\'''Homer:''' Awww. (''pats Bart's head'')** Given how often people get away with insulting Homer to his face in the most obvious possible ways, it would seem to be a wasted effort.* ''WesternAnimation/KingOfTheHill'' has a pretty good one when Cotton admits to Hank that Hank is a better father than he was. Could be considered a CrowningMomentOfHeartwarming if it weren't such an incredible backhanded compliment.--> '''Cotton''': Well of course you're a better father than me, Hank. You raised Bobby! All I raised was ''you''!* In ''WesternAnimation/DespicableMe'', Gru asks Miss Hattie whether she speaks Spanish. When she says no, he tells her that her face is "Como un burro." She is flattered... until she later buys a Spanish/English dictionary. Especially insulting, since he used the ''masculine'' form.* ''WesternAnimation/AvatarTheLastAirbender'': after Sokka shows everyone his [[TerribleArtist drawing of Appa]], Toph tells him it looks just like the real thing to her. It takes Sokka a second to get the inherent sarcasm of this statement, what with her being blind.** Aang delivers an unintentional one to Zuko after he manages to outsmart the Sun Stone. Made even better that Zuko doesn't realize it right away.--> '''Aang''': You know, Zuko, I don't care what anyone says about you; you're pretty smart.* ''WesternAnimation/SpongeBobSquarePants'': [[TedBaxter Squidward]] in "Band Geeks":** "I really expected better of you people. I guess I'm a loser for that too."* From ''TheLooneyTunesShow'':-->'''Yosemite Sam:''' Are you trying to make me look like a fool?-->'''Bugs Bunny:''' You don't need me to make you look like a fool.-->'''Yosemite Sam:''' You're darn right I don't!* In ''TheSwanPrincess'', one of the musicians says "I'm an artist, not a boar!" (Protesting his being asked to dress up like an animal for archery practice.) Derek's advisor Rogers, the resident DeadpanSnarker, gives an AsideGlance and says "Could've fooled me."* Kick does this to Brad in the pilot episode of ''KickButtowski''.--> '''Brad:''' "Mom and dad said I watch you good they'll let me take my driver's test again!"--> '''Kick:''' "...Fifth time's the charm."* In ''WesternAnimation/FamilyGuy'', Brian manages to get Lois to look over his old script for a TV pilot. When Lois finally reads it, she says that it was so good [[PlagiarismInFiction she immediately started checking online to see where he'd ripped it off from]], and was pleasantly surprised to learn it was original. This is also a CallBack to Brian's disaster of a novel ''Faster Than the Speed of Love'', which was a rip-off of the ''IronEagle'' series[[note]]albeit completely by accident, Brian apparently never having seen the films[[/note]].** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3hmlPtRu1SQ This]] cutaway joke, in which two women having lunch at a cafe exchange bitchy insults about each other's appearances disguised with cheerful friendliness. It then crosses over to two men also having lunch at the same place, at which point one of the men... sincerely compliments the other's tie, which the other accepts gratefully.-->''Men: We know how to be friends!''* "DanVS Canada" takes a fair number of shots at the United States disguised as jokes about Canada.--> '''Dan:''' Canada sucks! ''They still have all their trees!''* ''WesternAnimation/ThePenguinsOfMadagascar'' subverts this with Skipper describing someone exactly like him, then Marlene calls him out on it. The subversion occurs when Private tells her that Skipper's a thousand times worse than that meaning it as an actual compliment, but it may actually turn out to be an InsultBackfire as Skipper thanks him for it.[[/folder]]

[[folder:Real Life]]* A common StealthInsult among journalists and news analysts against each other is "He/she refuses to let the facts get in the way of a good story." (Think about it.)* Another common StealthInsult used by the IT crew is saying that the main problem with the system is BIOS. [[FunWithAcronyms As in, Blind Idiot Operating the System]].* There is a picture of UsefulNotes/HillaryRodhamClinton shaking hands with a soldier while the soldier is flashing a downwards peace sign with his other hand. This hand gesture means "I am doing this against my will."* A former student of Nicholas Murray Butler (who was then the [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicholas_Murray_Butler president of Columbia University]]) was asked to contribute a piece to ''Poetry'' magazine. He obliged... with a [[http://everything2.com/?node_id=1091716 poem]] in which the first letter of each line spelled out the statement "Nicholas Murray Butler Is A Horse's Ass".* [[http://www.snopes.com/photos/signs/headstone.asp This creative headstone]] shows what happens when your girlfriend and your wife meet up after your death but before the carving of your monument.* 19th century French theatre actor Frédérick Lemaître, angered by the noisy audience, called them "imbéciles" (idiots) before leaving the stage. The audience got quite angered and the theatre director order Lemaître to apologize. He did so, by saying "Je vous ai traités d'imbéciles. C'est vrai! Je vous fais des excuses. J'ai tort!" ("I called you idiots. That's true! I apologize. I'm wrong!")** Similarly, UsefulNotes/WinstonChurchill was once forced to apologize for accusing another politician of lying in Parliament. His "apology"? "I called the Right Honourable Gentleman a liar it is true and I am sorry for it. Punctuate that sentence any way you like."* The sentence "See you next Tuesday!" is used as a sneaky way to reference CountryMatters because the four words sounds like the four letters that make up the offensive word.* The phrase "If you see Kay..." is a way to covertly drop an F-bomb, since it sounds like you're spelling out the word.* DorothyParker, Creator/OscarWilde and William F. Buckley were all masters/mistress of this.* After a public dispute between Robert Hooke and Isaac Newton, the latter wrote an open letter of apology to the Royal Society. It contained what became a famous quote of his "If I have seen further than most it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" (''and not twisted little hunchbacks like Hooke'').* When the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea and its crew taken prisoner, its sailors were photographed [[BlatantLies to show off how well they had been taken care of.]] The sailors found a creative way to get their message through: [[http://www.wired.com/images_blogs/dangerroom/2009/06/pueblo-middle-finger.jpg many of them flipped the finger,]] telling their North Korean captors that the gesture was a "Hawaiian good luck sign." Needless to say, the North Koreans were not happy with them once they found out.** "Hawaiian Good Luck Sign" is still a popular euphemism for it in some regions.** Pueblo's captain, Commander Lloyd Bucher, was tortured by the North Korean forces, who eventually succeeded in forcing him to confess. However, to quote TheOtherWiki, '' 'none of the Koreans knew enough English to write a confession, so they had Bucher write it himself. They verified the meaning of his words, but failed to catch the pun when he said "We paean (paean meaning a fervent expression of joy or praise) the DPRK. We paean the Korean people. We paean their great leader Kim Il Sung".' '' Another quote from the confession: "[We] beseech the Korean people to forgive our dastardly deeds unmatched since Attila."* California Governor Creator/ArnoldSchwarzenegger vetoed a bill authored by one of his political opponents... with [[http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2009/10/schwarzenegger a veto message]] in which the first letter of each line spelled out "Fuck You".** Double whammy -- not only is there the "Fuck you", but the actual text of the letter is politician-speak for "your bill is worthless, get back to me when you're ready to quit being a jackass and get your priorities straight".*** The latter would hardly count as 'stealth', however, given that its recipients probably all speak fluent Politician.* A [[TheJester Jester]] once compared UsefulNotes/KingJohnOfEngland to Jesus. He said that Jesus had the same wisdom he had as a child as he did as a grown man. King John had the same wisdom as a grown up as he did as a child.* Before the 2010 [[TheWorldCup World Cup]], a network analyst stated "You can't underestimate the USA's chances against England!" The United States [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010_FIFA_World_Cup_Group_C played them to a draw]] in that match. So...* When [=PETCO=] won the naming rights to the San Diego Padres' new ballpark, [=PETA=], who had been protesting [=PETCO's=] activities for many years, tried to stop the deal from going through. After failing at that, they decided to have an anti-[=PETCO=] message inscribed on a brick inside the stadium. Their first couple of attempts spelled their message out directly and were rejected by the Padres as unsuitable. When they switched to the [[http://www.snopes.com/business/hidden/peta.asp stealth method]] of insulting [=PETCO=], their message made it through.* Insulting someone using a foreign slang could count too, if the person you're insulting doesn't know what it means.* At [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stalag_Luft_III Stalag Luft 3]], where the events dramatized in ''Film/TheGreatEscape'' took place, prisoners called the guards "Goons", telling them that it stood for "German Officer Or Noncom."* In a February, 2011 interview on Creator/AlJazeera, a spokesman for the Libyan government was [[BlatantLies telling the reporters what was really happening in Libya]] so poorly that off-screen crew members could be heard laughing at the absurdity of his claims. The two reporters conducting the interview kept their composure despite the hilariously incompetent attempts to deny, spin, fold and mutilate the truth, and at the end of the interview one, with an absolutely deadpan expression, thanked the spokesman and said that he was a perfect representative of the Libyan government.* Creator/SarahSilverman, the Creator/DonRickles of the backhanded compliment.* There's also the time that the [[BritishRoyalGuards Band of the Welsh Guards]], after some protest, did decide to play a song to greet King Abdullah of UsefulNotes/SaudiArabia. The song they chose? [[Franchise/StarWars The]] ''[[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SG23bVpw65o Imperial March]]''.* Argentinian former-president ''Carlos Menem'' was loved during his time as president, but hated afterwards due to all the corruption he was linked to. In some sort of way, think of him as Argentina's UsefulNotes/RichardNixon. In 2011 he went to vote, and the guy who was supposed to receive him made a gesture that's popular believed to protect you from jinx (which is touching your left testicle). [[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qJnenyRW8wg/TkkjeE2f0FI/AAAAAAAAAgg/41D3RZqfiow/s320/menem+vota.jpg See it yourself.]]* Not long after the Tiananmen Square protests, someone wrote a poem that, on the face of it, seemed to praise the Chinese government. It was even featured in the People's Daily. Not long after, it was discovered that if you took the characters going diagonally, it read "[Prime Minister] Li Peng must resign to appease the anger of the people."** The Chinese are actually masters of stealth insults, or at least that's how they've presented themselves. Take, for instance, this widely publicized curse:-->[[DuringTheWar May you live in interesting times,]]-->[[AwakeningTheSleepingGiant May you gain the notice of those in high places,]]-->[[BeCarefulWhatYouWishFor And may your every wish come true.]]** The Chinese language has a useful tool for stealth insults - the intonation (pitch) of a syllable affects the meaning of the word, often quite dramatically. For example, the phrase "grass mud horse" becomes "fuck your mother" if said with different intonation.* [[RussianHumour Armenian Radio jokes]] are all about this trope.--> '''Q:''' What is chaos?--> '''Armenian Radio:''' We do not comment on national economics.

--> '''Q:''': Is it true that there is freedom of speech in the Soviet Union the same as there is the USA?--> '''Armenian Radio:''': In principle, yes. In the USA, you can stand in front of the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, and yell, "Down with Reagan!", and you will not be punished. In the Soviet Union, you can stand in the Red Square in Moscow and yell, "Down with Reagan!", and you will not be punished.* A headstone in a Nova Scotia cemetery:-->Here lies Ezekial Aikle-->Age 102-->The Good Die Young.* In American Football; sportswriters often will refer to some quarterbacks as "game managers"; a term used to describe quarterbacks that on one hand wouldn't hurt a team by forcing plays that often result in interceptions... but on the other hand said quarterback generally doesn't put up huge stats; as their team typically relies on a strong defense and running game to win.* The People's Republic of China enforces its world monopoly of pandas by denying foreign zoos a panda unless they sign a document that says that the panda and all its descendants belong to the Chinese government and they are only on loan. In one occasion, however, China gifted a couple of pandas to Taiwan that were free of this imposition, ''and was met with protests from the Taiwanese''. The Taiwanese understood too well that this was the Communist Party's way to say that Taiwan is not a foreign country, but a part of the People's Republic of China.* The deposed [[ImperialGermany Kaiser Wilhelm II]] sent a congratulatory telegram to UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler on June 17th, 1940, [[WorldWarII after the fall of France]], which read: ''"Under the deeply moving impression of the capitulation of France I congratulate you and the whole German Wehrmacht on the mighty victory '''granted by God''',in the words of the Emperor Wilhelm the Great in 1870: What a turn of events brought about '''by divine dispensation'''! "'' - basically the Emperor said in diplomatic language [[UsefulNotes/AdolfHitler the Führer]] was an incompetent who only got lucky by the will of God. Hitler understood the subtext and got appropriately angry, but answered one week later in [[PolitenessJudo similar diplomatic, but hollow language]].** Wilhelm II got one himself from Otto von Bismarck, who as Chancellor had had a good working relationship with Wilhelm's grandfather and predecessor, Kaiser Wilhelm the First, but was fired by Wilhelm II after two years of service. When Bismarck died ten years later, his headstone read:--> Prince Otto von Bismarck. --> A faithful servant of Kaiser Wilhelm ''the First''.* Creator/ArthurCClarke described one of his methods of responding to crank mail: sending a reply in barely-legible handwriting with key words scrawled in ''completely'' illegible squiggles (e.g. "Your [squiggle] is the greatest piece of [squiggle] I have ever seen.") so that the correspondent "did not know whether I was praising him to the skies or telling him to boil his head."* Website/{{Google}}, for awhile, had been working with the MPAA on trying to curb piracy via their search engine and had done quite a good job, chopping search results in half. The MPAA's response to that was "Everyone shares a responsibility to help curb unlawful conduct online, and we are glad to see Google acknowledging its role in facilitating access to stolen content". Google was quite incensed at that and broke ties with the MPAA and opted to work with the production companies separately.* When a bad ex-employee puts you down as a reference while applying for a new job, it can put you in an awkward spot; you don't want to bad-mouth them and ruin them (or get sued), but you also don't want to leave the new employer without some warning. So often comments with double meanings are used, such as "I cannot recommend this person too highly", "He has made immeasurable contributions to our firm", "There is nothing you can teach a man like this", and "You’ll be lucky if you can get this person to work for you".[[/folder]]